Acoustically Variable Burner System

ABSTRACT

An acoustically variable burner system is provided, having a burner wherein the flow of gas thereto, and consequently the flame pattern resulting from the ignition of the gas, is variable by transmission of acoustic waves therethrough via an acoustically-based control system. The preferred burner design produces a realistic, wood-burning type flame pattern. An acoustic controller, such as an APPLE® iPod®, MP3 player, computer, etc., may be utilized to drive/control electroacoustic transducers positioned adjacent the burner, the sound waves of which are produced thereby varying the flow rate of gas to the burner gas ports, thereby varying the flame height in direct correspondence with the audio signal. Further, the flame color may be altered by introduction of flame color variant compositions exposed to the flame via a flame color variation device removably positioned adjacent the burner. The system is preferably controlled via a specialized computer program running on the acoustic controller, which enables choice of flame patterns, duration, audible audio to accompany the flame display, etc.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

An acoustically variable burner system is provided, having a burnerwherein the flow of gas thereto is variable by production of acousticwaves therethrough via an acoustically-based control system.Specifically, an acoustic controller, such as an APPLE® iPod®, may beutilized to drive transducers, the sound waves of which vary the flowrate of gas to the burner, thereby varying the flame height, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Historically, variation and control of gas flow to burners has beenundertaken to control the amount of heat produced by the burner, as wellas attempt to create a realistic (i.e., wood-burning) flame pattern.Conventionally, to achieve same, gas burners have comprised valvemechanisms for the control of gas flow thereto. Such valve mechanismshave varied in design tremendously, ranging from basic manual control toelectromechanical control systems.

In addition to mechanical and electromechanical valve systems forcontrol of gas flow, systems have been developed for control of the gasflow/flame produced by the burner using acoustic means. Specifically,U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,045 (hereinafter '045), the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference, discloses a gas burner system forproducing dynamic flame patterns. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, this isachieved by creating a standing wave within the burner via a transducer.However, although the '045 reference provides an alternate (i.e.,acoustic) means of flame control, neither the gas burner system of the'045 reference, nor the prior art gas burners utilizing mechanical andelectromechanical valve systems, provide a system capable of dynamicallyinteractive flame control for entertainment purposes. Further, theburner shape fails to produce a realistic flame pattern due to itslinear shape.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anacoustically variable burner system capable of dynamic acoustic control.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide anacoustically variable burner system capable of producing acousticallyvariable flames in a realistic wood-burning flame pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the presentinventor earnestly endeavored to develop an acoustically variable burnersystem capable of flame control via an audio source, such as an iPod®,MP3 player, stereo, etc., so as to produce a flame that is dynamicallyresponsive to the audio/acoustic output of the audio source. Further,the present invention endeavored to develop such a burner system whichis also capable of producing a realistic (wood-burning) flame pattern.As a result, in a first embodiment of the present invention, anacoustically variable burner system is provided comprising:

(a) a burner comprising:

-   -   (i) a central gas chamber; and    -   (ii) two or more burner tubes, each burner tube having a first        end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer        circumference, an interior area defined by the outer        circumference, and two or more gas ports disposed through the        outer circumference, the first end of each burner tube being in        communication with the central gas chamber so as to be operable        to receive gas flow therefrom;

(b) one or more electroacoustic transducers in acoustic communicationwith the two or more burners, so as to be operable to transmit acousticsound waves into the interior area of the burner tubes, thereby creatingpressure waves within the burner tubes; and

(c) a controller interface in electrical communication with the one ormore electroacoustic transducers, said controller interface operable tointerface with an acoustic controller so as to receive informationtherefrom and transmit same to the electroacoustic transducers.

The burner mentioned above may preferably comprise three or more burnertubes, each burner tube being non-linear, preferably semi-circular, inshape from the first end to the second end thereof. In a most preferredembodiment, the burner is comprised of four burner tubes.

In a further preferred embodiment of the first embodiment shown above,the acoustically variable burner system comprises one or more flamecolor variation devices, capable of varying the color of the flame. Thisflame color variation device is comprised of a retainer module having aplurality of perforations disposed therein; and one or more flame colorvariant compositions disposed within the retain module. Flame colorvariant compositions, such as strontium salt, calcium chloride, sodiumnitrate, barium salts, copper sulfate, copper chloride, potassiumpermanganate and magnesium sulfate, are preferably utilized therein

In another preferred embodiment based on the first embodiment above, theacoustically variable burner system also comprises one or more radiofrequency (RF) filters in communication with one or more of theelectroacoustic transducers, thereby enabling filtering of the acousticwaves entering the burner tube.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, an acousticallyvariable burner system is provided comprising:

(a) two or more burners, each burner comprising:

-   -   (i) a central gas chamber; and    -   (ii) one or more burner tubes, each burner tube having a first        end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer        circumference, an interior area defined by the outer        circumference, and two or more gas ports disposed through the        outer circumference, the burners tube being in communication        with the central gas chamber so as to be operable to receive gas        flow therefrom;

(b) one or more electroacoustic transducers in acoustic communicationwith each of the two or more burners, so as to be operable to transmitacoustic sound waves into the interior area of the burner tubes, therebycreating pressure waves therein;

(c) a radio frequency (RF) filters in communication with one or more ofthe electroacoustic transducers;

(d) one or more controller interfaces in electrical communication withthe one or more radio frequency (RF) filters, each of said controllerinterfaces operable to interface with an acoustic controller means so asto receive electroacoustic information therefrom and transmit same tothe electroacoustic transducers via the RF filters.

In both the first and second embodiments of the present invention, asshown above, the acoustically variable burner system may furthercomprise an acoustic controller means in electrical communication withthe controller interface. This acoustic controller means may be one ormore of a computer, stereo, portable electronic device (iPod®, MP3player, etc.), signal generator, and digital audio player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute partof this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred,it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a side view of the acoustically variable burner system of thepresent invention, illustrating the embodiment wherein theelectroacoustic transducers are disposed in the second end of eachburner tube.

FIG. 1B top perspective view of the acoustically variable burner systemof the present invention shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the acoustically variable burner system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional side view of the acousticallyvariable burner system of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A-2,illustrating the flow of gas and resulting flame intensity thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the acoustically variable burner system of thepresent invention, illustrating embodiment wherein a singleelectroacoustic transducer is disposed adjacent the central gas chamber.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the acoustically variable burner system of thepresent invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view/block diagram of the acousticallyvariable burner system of the present invention, illustrating theconnectivity of the acoustic controller, RF filter and flame colorvariation device and the burner.

FIG. 7 is a partially cut away bottom view of the acoustically variableburner system of the present invention, illustrating the disposition ofthe gas ports in the burner tubes.

FIG. 8A is a side view of a linear burner tube embodiment of theacoustically variable burner system of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the linear burner tube embodiment of theacoustically variable burner system of the present invention shown inFIG. 8A, illustrating the disposition of gas ports in the burner tube.

FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional view of a dual linear tubeembodiment of the acoustically variable burner system of the presentinvention, wherein RF filters are utilized to filter different ranges ofwavelengths to each burner tube.

FIG. 10 is a box diagram illustrating the connectivity of componentsmaking up the acoustically variable burner system of the presentinvention, wherein external speakers are in communication with theacoustic controller so as to broadcast the audio data to users.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the acoustically variableburner system of the present invention, illustrating the disposition ofthe flame color variation device relative to the burner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1A-5, in a preferred embodiment, the presentinvention provides an acoustically variable burner system 1 comprisedgenerally of a burner 3, one or more electroacoustic transducers 19 incommunication with the burner 3, and a controller interface 21. As shownin FIGS. 1B and 2, the burner 3, which is configured to produce a woodburning-like flame, is comprised of a central gas chamber 5 incommunication with a plurality of burner tubes 7. The burner tubes 7 arein communication with the central gas chamber 5 at a first end 9 of theburner tube 7, and a second end 11 of the burner tube 7 is disposedopposite the first end 9. The burner tubes may be linear or non-linearin shape. In a preferred embodiment, the burner 3 comprises a pluralityof burner tubes 7, each burner tube having an arc-shape configuration.

The electroacoustic transducers 19 may be disposed adjacent the secondends 11 of the burner tubes 7, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3.Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, anelectroacoustic transducer 19 may be disposed adjacent the central gaschamber 5. In an alternative embodiment, the electroacoustic transducermay be replaced with and/or used in addition to other means/devicescapable of emitting an acoustic wave into the burner tube(s), such as anelectronically controlled valve, etc. Moreover, the disposition of theelectroacoustic transducers 19 relative to the burner 3 may be varied inany desired manner, as long as sufficient acoustic wave energy istransmittable into the gas flow within the interior area 15 of theburner tubes 7 in such a manner as to create waves within the gas flowsufficient to alter the rate of flow thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the gas ports 17 are disposed through theburner tubes 7 so as to allow sufficient gas flow from the burner tocreate a desired flame pattern. In particular, in the preferredembodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the gas ports17 are spaced apart in a descending manner, wherein the gas ports 17 aredisposed closer together adjacent the central gas chamber 5, thedistance between each gas port 17 increasing from the first end 9 of theburner tube 7 to the second end 11 of the burner tube 7. The presentinventor has unexpectedly discovered that this configuration of gasports 17, in conjunction with the plurality of semi-circle (arc-shaped)burner tubes 7, provides a very realistic flame pattern reminiscent ofwood burning fires, as illustrated by the flame pattern shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 6, electroacoustic transducers 19 are in communicationwith the controller interface 21. This controller interface 21 enablesconnection of various acoustic controllers with the system of thepresent invention. For example, in the preferred embodiment illustratedin FIG. 6, an APPLE® iPod® is provided as the acoustic controller. Infurther preferred embodiments, the acoustic controller may be one ormore one or more of a computer (as illustrated in FIG. 10), stereo,portable electronic device (e.g., MP3 player), signal generator, anddigital audio player. However, the acoustic controller should not belimited, but rather any device capable of transmitting an acoustic/audiosignal to the system of the present invention may be used in conductionwith the system herein.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, in a further preferred embodiment, a radiofrequency (RF) filter 35 may be installed between the controllerinterface 21 and electroacoustic transducers 19, so as to be incommunication therewith. The RF filter 35 is operable to filter theaudio frequencies transmitted by the acoustic controller 37, as desiredby the system user. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a sole orsingle set of RF filters may be utilized to filter all but one range ofaudio frequencies, thus producing a flame pattern correlating to asingle frequency range. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9, two ormore RF filters or sets of RF filters 35 may be utilized with multipleburner tubes 7, thereby enabling the creation of multiple flamepatterns. The number of burner tubes, as well as RF filters, isunlimited.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIGS. 6, 9 and 11, a flame color variation device 27 may be disposedadjacent one or more burner tubes 7 via, for example, one or moreretainer module supports 39. As illustrated in FIG. 11, each flame colorvariation device 27 is comprised of a retainer module 29 having aplurality of perforations 13 formed therein, the retainer module 29operable to hold one or more flame color variant compositions 33. Uponexposure to a flame, the flame color variant compositions begin to burn,thereby causing the color of the flame to change color, the colordependent upon the specific flame color variant composition 33.

In particular, the flame color variant composition 33 may be anychemical composition capable of altering the color of a flame whenexposed thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the flame color variantcomposition 33 is one or more of a strontium salt (creates a red flame),calcium chloride (creates an orange flame), sodium nitrate (creates ayellow flame), barium salts (creates a green flame), copper sulfate(creates a turquoise flame), copper chloride (creates a blue flame),potassium permanganate (creates a purple flame) and magnesium sulfate(creates a white flame). Alternative compositions capable of varying thecolor of flames may be disposed in place of, or in combination with, theabove-identified compositions.

Preferably, the flame color variation device 27 is removable andreplaceable, such that when the flame color variant composition thereinis expended, the retainer module 29 may be refilled with freshcomposition 33. Alternatively, the retainer module 34 may be prefilledand disposable, such that new modules 34 may be placed adjacent theburner 3 at will. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6,the flame color variation device 27 has a handle 34 or other means ofhandling, so as to enable a user to remove and replace retainer moduleswhen needed or desired.

Additionally, the flame color variation device 27 may be utilized withany burner system, so as to color the flame thereof. In particular, theretainer module supports 30 and handle 34 may be tailored to interactwith/mount on any conventional burner device. As long as the retainermodule 34 is disposed adjacent a flame, the flame color variation device27 is operable to color the flame, thereby providing decorativeenhancement of the flame.

In a further preferred embodiment, the system further comprises acomputer program product embodied on a computer readable medium forexecution on/by the acoustic controller, wherein the computer programproduct is comprised of data operable to enable creation of adistinctive acoustic/audio signal which, when transmitted by theelectroacoustic transducers 19, creates a predefined flame pattern.

For example, the computer program product (software application) isoperable to: display list of flame pattern, and one or more of executiontime (duration), frequency, and audio accompaniment options; enableinput of desired flame pattern, and one or more of execution time,frequency, and audio accompaniment query a database of gas flow rate,acoustic frequency and amplitude corresponding to desired flame pattern;compile a user command comprising gas flow rate, acoustic frequency andamplitude, and one or more of execution time, frequency and audioaccompaniment; and execute user command.

The computer readable medium 41 may be, for example, a hard driveexternal to and in communication with the acoustic controller 37.Alternatively, the computer readable medium 41 may be integrated intothe acoustic controller 37, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in the art will understandthat changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of theinvention is not to be restricted to the specific embodiments.Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and allsuch applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope ofthe present invention

LIST OF DRAWING ELEMENTS

-   1: acoustically variable burner system-   3: burner-   5: central gas chamber-   7: burner tube-   9: first end of burner tube-   11: second end of burner tube-   13: outer circumference of burner tube-   15: interior area of burner tube-   17: gas port-   19: electroacoustic transducer (speaker)-   21: controller interface-   23: sound wave deflection means-   25: deflection faces-   27: flame color variation device-   29: retainer module-   31: retainer module perforations-   33: flame color variant composition-   34: flame color variation device handle-   35: radio frequency (RF) filter-   37: acoustic controller-   39: flame color variation device support

1. An acoustically variable burner system comprising: (a) a burnercomprising: (i) a central gas chamber; and (ii) two or more burnertubes, each burner tube having a first end, a second end opposite thefirst end, an outer circumference, an interior area defined by the outercircumference, and two or more gas ports disposed through the outercircumference, the first end of each burner tube being in communicationwith the central gas chamber so as to be operable to receive gas flowtherefrom; (b) one or more electroacoustic transducers in acousticcommunication with the two or more burners, so as to be operable totransmit acoustic sound waves into the interior area of the burnertubes, thereby creating pressure waves within the burner tubes; and (c)a controller interface in electrical communication with the one or moreelectroacoustic transducers, said controller interface operable tointerface with an acoustic controller so as to receive informationtherefrom and transmit same to the electroacoustic transducers.
 2. Theacoustically variable burner system of claim 1, wherein the burnercomprises three or more burner tubes, each burner tube being non-linearin shape from the first end to the second end thereof.
 3. Theacoustically variable burner system of claim 2, wherein each burner tubeis semi-circular in shape.
 4. The acoustically variable burner system ofclaim 2, wherein the burner comprises four burner tubes, each burnertube being semi-circular in shape.
 5. The acoustically variable burnersystem of claim 1, wherein a distance between each gas port formed ineach burner tube decreases from the first end to the second end of theburner tube.
 6. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1,wherein an electroacoustic transducer is disposed within or adjacent tothe second end of each burner tube, thereby operable to transmit soundwaves into each burner tube.
 7. The acoustically variable burner systemof claim 1, wherein an electroacoustic transducer is disposed within oradjacent to the central gas chamber, thereby operable to transmit soundwaves into the central gas chamber.
 8. The acoustically variable burnersystem of claim 7, further comprising a sound wave deflection meansdisposed within the central gas chamber, said sound wave deflectionmeans having two or more deflection faces operable to deflect soundwaves into the burner tubes.
 9. The acoustically variable burner systemof claim 1, further comprising an acoustic controller in electricalcommunication with the controller interface.
 10. The acousticallyvariable burner system of claim 9, wherein the acoustic controller iscomprised of one or more of a computer, stereo, portable electronicdevice, signal generator, and digital audio player.
 11. The acousticallyvariable burner system of claim 1, further comprising one or more flamecolor variation devices, each flame color variation device comprised of:(i) a retainer module having a plurality of perforations disposedtherein; and (ii) one or more flame color variant compositions disposedwithin the retain module, wherein the flame color variation device isdisposed adjacent one or more gas ports of the burner tubes, so as to beoperable to expose the color variant compositions to flames emitted fromthe burner tubes during operation of the system, thereby altering thecolor of produced flames.
 12. The acoustically variable burner system ofclaim 11, wherein the flame color variant compositions are one or moreselected from the group consisting of a strontium salt, calciumchloride, sodium nitrate, barium salts, copper sulfate, copper chloride,potassium permanganate and magnesium sulfate.
 13. The acousticallyvariable burner system of claim 11, wherein the retainer module isremovably attached to the burner.
 14. The acoustically variable burnersystem of claim 1, further comprising one or more radio frequency (RF)filters in communication with one or more of the electroacoustictransducers.
 15. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 14,wherein the radio frequency (RF) filters are one or more selected fromthe group consisting of high pass filters, low pass filters, band passfilters and band reject filters.
 16. An acoustically variable burnersystem comprising: (a) two or more burners, each burner comprising: (i)a central gas chamber; and (ii) one or more burner tubes, each burnertube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outercircumference, an interior area defined by the outer circumference, andtwo or more gas ports disposed through the outer circumference, theburners tube being in communication with the central gas chamber so asto be operable to receive gas flow therefrom; (b) one or moreelectroacoustic transducers in acoustic communication with each of thetwo or more burners, so as to be operable to transmit acoustic soundwaves into the interior area of the burner tubes, thereby creatingpressure waves therein; (c) a radio frequency (RF) filters incommunication with one or more of the electroacoustic transducers; (d)one or more controller interfaces in electrical communication with theone or more radio frequency (RF) filters, each of said controllerinterfaces operable to interface with an acoustic controller means so asto receive electroacoustic information therefrom and transmit same tothe electroacoustic transducers via the RF filters.
 17. The acousticallyvariable burner system of claim 16, wherein an electroacoustictransducer is disposed within or adjacent to one or more ends of eachburner tube, thereby operable to transmit sound waves into each burnertube.
 18. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 16, whereinan electroacoustic transducer is disposed within or adjacent to thecentral gas chamber, thereby operable to transmit sound waves into thecentral gas chamber.
 19. The acoustically variable burner system ofclaim 18, further comprising a sound wave deflection means disposedwithin the central gas chamber, said sound wave deflection means havingtwo or more deflection faces operable to deflect sound waves into theburner tubes.
 20. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 16,further comprising an acoustic controller means in electricalcommunication with the controller interface.
 21. The acousticallyvariable burner system of claim 16, wherein the acoustic controllermeans is comprised of one or more of a computer, stereo, portableelectronic device, signal generator, and digital audio player.
 22. Theacoustically variable burner system of claim 16, wherein the radiofrequency (RF) filters are one or more selected from the groupconsisting of high pass filters, low pass filters, band pass filters andband reject filters.
 23. The acoustically variable burner system ofclaim 16, further comprising one or more flame color variation devicescomprised of: (i) a retainer module having a plurality of perforationsdisposed therein; and (ii) one or more flame color variant compositionsdisposed within the retain module, wherein the flame color variationdevice is disposed adjacent one or more gas ports of the burner tubes,so as to expose the color variant compositions to flames emitted fromthe burner tubes.
 24. The acoustically variable burner system of claim23, wherein the flame color variant compositions are one or moreselected from the group consisting of a strontium salt, calciumchloride, sodium nitrate, barium salts, copper sulfate, copper chloride,potassium permanganate and magnesium sulfate.
 25. The acousticallyvariable burner system of claim 23, wherein the retainer module isremovably attached to one or more of the burners.
 26. The acousticallyvariable burner system of claim 1, further comprising a computer programproduct embodied on a computer readable medium for execution on/by theacoustic controller comprising: (a) application program code operable todisplay list of flame pattern, and one or more of execution time(duration), frequency, and audio accompaniment options; (b) applicationprogram code operable to enable input of desired flame pattern, and oneor more of execution time, frequency, and audio accompaniment; (c)application program code operable to query a database of gas flow rate,acoustic frequency and amplitude corresponding to desired flame pattern;(d) application program code operable to compile a user commandcomprising gas flow rate, acoustic frequency and amplitude, and one ormore of execution time, frequency and audio accompaniment; and (e)application program code operable to execute user command.
 27. A flamecolor variation device comprised of: (i) a retainer module having aplurality of perforations disposed therein; and (ii) one or more flamecolor variant compositions disposed within the retain module, whereinthe flame color variant compositions, when exposed to a flame, alter thecolor of the flames.
 28. The flame color variation device of claim 27,wherein the flame color variant compositions are one or more selectedfrom the group consisting of a strontium salt, calcium chloride, sodiumnitrate, barium salts, copper sulfate, copper chloride, potassiumpermanganate and magnesium sulfate.